My 28 Favorite Places to Visit in the USA

Updated: 10/8/2018 | October 8th, 2018

From sea to shining sea, the United States is home to a diverse landscape — both culturally and physically. Spending months traveling across its vast landscape gave me a deep appreciation for all my country has to offer.

After traveling across the continental United States through multiple cross country road trips (you never really realize how big Texas is until you drive through. Damn that state is big!), I wanted to share some of my favorite places in the United States with you. I’ve already talked about my favorite restaurants and lessons learned, so it only seems proper to give you a list of the best places to visit in the USA when you come and travel here!

(Note: This list is based only on where I myself have been. There are a lot more incredibly breathtaking places — like Yosemite or Hawaii — I haven’t explored yet, which is why you don’t see them on this list!)

Memphis

Gritty, industrial, and a bit run down, Memphis appears like its best days are behind it, but don’t let the rough exterior fool you — the city is still home to some killer food and a vibrant blues music scene. Additionally, there’s Graceland (Elvis’s home) for fans of the King, a big waterfront for walking, and the phenomenal, detailed, and moving Museum of Civil Rights (it’s huge, so don’t rush it!). I enjoyed the city more than I expected and was disappointed when I had to leave. To use a cliché, it’s a hidden gem!

Austin

My new home (surprise! I moved to Austin!), and every visit here makes me love it more and more. The warm weather, the lively honky-tonks and live music, funky house bars on Rainey Street, amazing hiking and biking trails, and tons of outdoor activities… Austin has it all. Thanks to everything from the growing food truck population to the flagship Whole Foods store with the incredible salad bar (grilled pineapple!), I eat — and eat well — nonstop. The Austin campus of the University of Texas provides a youthful vigor to the city, and its liberal attitude attracts a diverse and eclectic population. In short, you can’t skip Austin, because if you do, I’ll find you and drag you there.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a city with soul. It’s seen some hard times, but it lives on with a zest for life unmatched by most places. It has a rich and long history and is filled with scrumptious French-inspired Creole and Cajun food, live jazz music, street performers, and an appreciation for all the temptations of life. Life is lived well here in the Big Easy. You don’t come here to relax – you come here to indulge! In my opinion, New Orleans one of the most eclectic and vibrant cities in the United States.

Asheville

Asheville is Portland in the North Carolina mountains: full of tasty craft beer, food, and hipsters. I liked the area a lot, including its proximity to some wonderful and scenic mountain hikes such as the Carolina Mountain Trail. Moreover, the town has a lot of parks for those wanting something closer — and be sure to check out the Ashville Botanical Gardens near the university campus. The beautiful Smoky Mountains are a short drive away, and the gigantic Biltmore estate, the largest privately owned home in the US and once home to George Vanderbilt, is on the outskirts of the city. If you’ve ever seen Downton Abbey, that’s what the house is like! (And, if you haven’t, you should! The show is addicting!)

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The Pacific Coastal Drive

The drive up the Pacific Coast is considered one of the most scenic in the world. I have to agree. I didn’t travel the whole coast, but the portion I drove (San Francisco to Portland) was incredible: sheer cliffs, forests descending to the shoreline, miles of beaches, and giant redwoods. It’s jaw-dropping all the way. Be prepared to make slow progress, as you’ll be pulling over frequently to stop, hike, and admire the view. I especially liked Bandon and Coos Bay, Oregon and Mendocino, California.

Redwood National Park

Along the Pacific Coast is Redwood National Park, a large expanse of giant redwood trees filled with picnic areas, places to camp, and miles upon miles of hiking trails. Trails range from easy to strenuous, and there are many loops that head out to nearby beaches. It’s utterly beautiful, awe-inspiring, and humbling in every way.

Glacier National Park

Even though I visited when most of the park was still closed (it was too early in the year and there was still snow around), I was still stunned by the area: gorgeous snow-topped mountains rising high into the sky; a beautiful, still lake in which to admire those mountains and large glaciers; and hiking trails galore. It was the most mind-blowing place I saw on my trip, and I can understand why everyone raves about it. I can’t recommend a visit there enough.

Denver

The mile-high city (not least because marijuana is legal there), Denver has a mix of outdoor ruggedness and big-city living. It has a huge craft beer scene, excellent restaurants (including, Sushi Sasa, one of my favorite sushi restaurants in the world), a large international airport with lots of connections, and proximity to the mountains (and the Republic of Boulder). It’s clean, and the locals are incredibly friendly. There are few cities in the US I want to live in, but I love Denver enough to say that it’s one of them.

Chicago

When the weather is nice, I don’t think there’s a better city in the United States. Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago has world-class food (try the deep dish, sushi, and hot dogs), the fun and kitschy Navy Pier, Millennium Park with its famous bean-shaped statue, a kick-ass aquarium, and iconic architecture (be sure to take an architecture tour). And once the winter deep freeze is over, Chicagoans burst out of their homes to enjoy the summer weather, so there’s positive, happy vibe emanating through the city. Take advantage of it.

Natchez

I was most surprised by this Mississippi city. I didn’t know anything about it, but Natchez was recommended as a place to see historic 19th-century homes, built by isolated plantation owners wanting to get away in the summer and interact and socialize with each other. As cotton became king, the houses became ever larger and more elaborate. Now, they are historic monuments, and you can tour them while enjoying a view of the Mississippi River. It’s far off the beaten path — and my favorite discovery from my last road trip.

Savannah

Sitting on Georgia’s coast, Savannah escaped the wrath of the Civil War, allegedly because Sherman thought it was too pretty to be destroyed. With streets lined with Spanish moss–covered trees, large and inviting parks, and a bustling waterfront, Savannah is wonderful place to experience the slow pace of the Old South. I had visited this city many, many years ago, but its beauty, Southern comfort food, and tranquility stuck with me over the years.

Grand Canyon

Words can’t accurately describe how incredible the Grand Canyon is. It’s breathtaking in so many ways —its sheer size, fantastic depth, red hues, and striking vistas. Most people simply stand at the edge of the canyon and look out across it, but its true size and beauty are best appreciated with a hike down to the bottom. Make the time to hike down to the Colorado River, hike the less visited trails, spend the night, and hike back up for sunset.

Nashville

A little bit country, a little bit tech, Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US and rightly so. It’s got a wonderful music scene (duh), a growing cocktail bar scene, and some down-home Southern restaurants. There’s not a lot of “touristy stuff” to do here, but what make this city one of my favorites are the music, the food, the wildly friendly and happy people, and the positive energy the city seems to exude. When you’re here, plan to spend a few hours at the Tennessee State Museum. It goes into great (though sometimes very one-sided) detail about the state’s history, but it’s more exciting than you might think.

San Francisco

Food of every nature, hipsters, high tech, and a diverse population make San Francisco one of my favorite places to visit. Additionally, it’s close to some wonderful national parks, like Muir Woods, where you can escape the city and go hiking amid giant trees. This city is changing fast (for good or ill) and I’m always looking forward to my next visit. San Francisco has so much to do that you need at least four days to really appreciate it. The city is one of the cultural centers of the United States and not to be missed.

Miami

White sand beaches, Cuban food, wild nightlife, gorgeous people, and amazing warm weather — what’s not to love about Miami! I don’t think I could ever live here, but for a weekend of fun in the sun, Miami is perfect.

San Diego

Forever warm and sunny, San Diego’s weather creates a permanently happy population that’s friendly and outgoing and that loves the outdoors – from hiking, days at the beach, or running….and they are always happy to show people their city. The downtown Gaslamp area — as well as the famous Pacific Beach — is full of trendy seafood restaurants, bustling bars, and some seriously life-changing taco stalls. I love San Diego.

California Wine Country

California is home to some of the best wine in the world, and a visit to the Sonoma and Napa Valley regions will reward you with some fine dining in addition to the wine. Take the short trip from San Francisco and learn to appreciate wine! Tip: Sonoma is cheaper than Napa.

Lake Tahoe

Though the water level of the lake, as well as the flora and fauna around it, is sadly depleted due to the California drought, Lake Tahoe is still nonetheless impressive and beautiful. Ringed by tiny mountain communities, this is a terrific place for hiking and boating in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Anywhere in Montana

A lot has been written about how stunning Montana is, but it’s all wrong. It’s even better than words can describe. It’s the most crazy beautiful state I’ve ever been to, filled with wondrous mountains and hills as far as the eye can see. The people are super cool, welcoming, and outdoorsy, too. If I had to pick a favorite state, it would be Montana. I just love Montana.

Washington D.C.

The capital of the United States is a vibrant, international city, and that’s what I love about it. It’s second only to NYC in diversity of people and food (which is to be expected with so many people from international aid organizations and embassies). You hear a million accents in this town! Throw in the free Smithsonian museums, lots of parks, a riverfront for strolling or running, and some historic government buildings and monuments, and D.C. becomes one phenomenal place to visit, relax, eat, and drink!

For more travel tips on Washington D.C., here are some other articles I’ve written:

Cape Cod

I spent a lot of summers on the Cape since it’s where New Englanders escape for the summer. You’ll find plenty of small beach towns along the coast (Provincetown and Hyannis being the most famous but I also love Chatham, Falmouth, Wellfleet, and Brewster). If you’re looking for seafood, beaches, boardwalks, and hat perfect family vacation, visit the Cape!

Boston

I may be biased because I grew up here, but I love Boston and cherish my visits home. Boston rocks (Go Red Sox!). It’s historic (founded in 1630), smallish, easy to get around, and filled with awesome and loyal people. It’s home to a ton of activities, like the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall, the JFK Museum, and the Boston Commons and Public Garden, as well as some of the best Italian and seafood restaurants in the country. Be sure to eat at Zaftigs for the best brunch in the city! It’s wicked!

Las Vegas

Vegas, baby, Vegas! A lot of people are turned off by the bright lights and gambling, but Vegas is much more than the casinos, expensive clubs, and hotels on the famous Strip. There’s incredible hiking nearby at Red Rocks National Park, a growing art scene, a booming tech scene thanks to Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project, and lots of concerts and shows. Get off the Strip, explore the real Vegas (because technically the Strip is located in Paradise, NV, not Las Vegas), and see why people decide to live here.

Portland

Portland is incredible. I would move there if it had a bigger airport with better connections. Here you’ll find an impressive food truck scene, cool bespoke bars and cocktail lounges, a craft beer scene that’s religion to residents, relaxing parks (including a peaceful Japanese garden), a vibrant art scene, and hiking in the nearby mountains. Portland is just an awesome city, especially in the summer when the weather is perfect and there are festivals and events galore, like the World Domination Summit and the Portland International Beerfest.

Seattle

Home to a little business called Starbucks, it also boasts an exciting downtown, fresh fish, authentic Asian food, art museums, and funky nightlife. In historic Pioneer Square, you can go on an underground tour of the city’s ruins (a hella cool experience). Moreover, you’re right on the water and, weather permitting, can head out onto Elliott Bay to explore some little islands. Seattle is just a cool city. There’s always something to do there, it’s techy, and everyone is relaxed. Plus, there’s craft beer and coffee — what’s not to love about that!

Deadwood

Tucked away in western South Dakota, this town was famous during the Old West days, noteworthy enough to be the focus of an HBO series. Sort of kitschy and re-created, it’s nonetheless a very cool place where you can experience a taste of the old frontier days. It’s also conveniently located near the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore.

Kansas City

I really loved this city, which features some of the world’s best BBQ, a lively downtown, and cutting-edge technology like Google Fiber. There’s also a detailed and enlightening jazz museum here, as well as the eye-opening Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (that was the actual name; I’m not being racist). I wish I could have spent more time, but that’s just more reason to come back.

***

The United States is filled with too many “must sees” places to visit to list in a single blog post. After all, the country is home to over 350 million people and covers 3.8 million square miles. But for those looking for a starting point for where to go, what to see, and the places to visit, this list should point you in the right direction and fill your time!

Just be sure to turn off the highways, head to the small towns, and discover some favorites of your own. The best of the USA is always away from the major highways in the little no name towns with little diners, quirky shops, and friendly people!

For more travel tips on traveling the USA, read these other blog posts:

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Oh my..! So much to still see in the US! I just came back from North Carolina, sadly I didn’t make it to Asheville. Next time then 🙂
Thanks Matt, you’ve done your research while on your roadtrip! Bookmarking!

Also, I might add, don’t forget to stop by the Salt Lick – for the best Texas BBQ and it’s accessible. I would say Franklin’s but I have never had it, every time I go, all I come away with is the aroma before he sells out. 🙁

Matt, lovely post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on places across the US! I’m personally inviting you to sometime stop by my beautiful city, Louisville, Kentucky. Come for the bourbon (please don’t drink a mint julep), come to watch the ponies run, come pose by the Louisville Slugger bat – but make sure to go off the tourist path. Hit the hip nightlife of the Highlands, browse the community encouraged artist shops, tune your ears to live concerts on the Big Four Lawn by the Ohio River (provided free with love from our listener supported 91.9WFPK), nosh heartily on creative culinary inventions of chefs in any one of the brilliant restaurants hidden in curious areas. Most of all, come be welcomed by a genuine hospitality, wowed by an incredible cultural modgepodge of people, and let the beauty of Kentucky take your breath away. Just don’t forget your Kleenex, our allergies will get ya. 😉

If you are Anglo Saxon, or African American sure Louisville is a nice place to visit, KY at that. But if you are Hispanic you will encounter racism at its best. Hispanics in Louisville and the smaller towns are discriminated against; if you are driving, applying for a job, or trying to obtain aid, etc.. They are treated as second class citizens, 1/3 of a person- this is my experience, opinion and perception of the people of KY. Beauty is tarnished by the ugliness of the people.

Love that Denver (and the Republic of Boulder) made the list, but ugh Coloradans are so sick of the marijuana talk. It’s not a big deal, and there are so many other amazing things to do that are more worth talking about.

America’s a rad place, but it’s hard to see that when you live there (or in my case, just live next door in Canada), as the culture makes it seem like home, if that makes sense. Traveling abroad helps you see it like a traveler though, and there is much to like about the Land of the Free!

Can’t wait to check out a few stops on your list on my road trip to an Aggies football game. Then you need to check out Buffalo, NY (don’t laugh!). We too are a hidden gem on the comeback. Food, craft breweries, waterfront, arts scene, and then there’s the crazy fandom of our sports teams. I’m happy to be your tour guide.

I pretty much agree with you on the cities you listed that I’ve been to, so now I am excited to check out the ones you mentioned that I haven’t been to yet. A lot them I’ve already been wanting to see for a while but there were definitely others that weren’t on my radar.

Also: please write more about what inspired your move to Austin! Would love to know more about it! 🙂

I just moved to New Mexico a couple months and I second @Tanya. It is quite beautiful! Haven’t explored much outside of ABQ yet, but the Sandia mountains are a gorgeous backdrop to the city. Also, the craft beer scene is pretty amazing!

Agree with the posters here. Can’t wait to get back to NM for the natural rocky beauty, great cuisine and architecture, as well as the artsy Santa Fe, full of galleries and art everywhere you go. Hope to get to Taos next time. Agree a lot about DC, NOLA, and Savannah, three of my favorite towns. Most people don’t know this, but Louisiana is second in the nation for its film industry; so many film makers come here for the variety of architecture, landscapes, less expensive locales, and tax breaks while filming. NM is similar.

I’ve been to about half of these places and I would agree with all the ones that I have been to. Once you have been to Hawaii I’m sure you will add that to your list and I also love Crater Lake in Oregon, Yosemite NP, Canyon de Chelly and Sedona in Arizona, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park in Maine and the Michigan Gold Coast around Saugatuck

All of these, please! I have a West Coast road trip (tentatively) planned for next summer, and when I was a lot younger, we drove from Vegas to the south-east corner of Kansas, but even so, I feel I’ve barely scratched the surface of the US. Excited to get a chance at exploring it some more 🙂

I will also vouch for Vegas! My first visit was in May, I was reluctant because the artificial vibe of The Strip isn’t really my thing. We spent a lot of time downtown and it was a pleasant surprise. Loads of awesome bars, restaurants and off-the-beaten-path things to do. Don’t forget to visit the wonderful weirdos of Fremont St. and Valley of Fire State Park!

I didn’t realize you moved to Austin; very cool! I love Austin and can’t imagine living anywhere else…except Montana: it’s my favorite state too. Our last visit there actually inspired me to set a job alert for attorney positions!

You define a lot of your choices by the food that’s being sold in there (hot dogs are world-class food, you say). I’m not interested in food as a subject when discussing places to go and see, but merely in what it is that makes the locals want to live in that place. I’m always looking for that answer. You inspired me to find out more about Las Vegas, where I’ll be in October.

Hello from Boston! Brookline to be exact, and therefore, I will have to pay Zaftigs a visit.
I’ve been to 17 of the places listed here. I’m surprised Portland, Maine and Newport didn’t make the list. As for Memphis, I too love the music and the food scene, and of course Graceland. Did you visit Mud Island River Park when you were there? A really neat place to hang out and learn about the history of the mighty Mississippi River.

Oh, you need to visit Door County, Wisconsin! We just returned from there and it’s wonderful – charming, little towns; fabulous restaurants; lighthouses and beaches; family friendly resorts – it has it all!

Just moved back to Texas two weeks ago after working and traveling around Europe for three years so this post made me so very excited to start re-discovering my home country! There is SO much to see in this vast nation of ours and I look forward to exploring it all 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!

Sonoma is not only cheaper than Napa, it’s less pretentious and more beautiful. I’m sorry but Napa county is ugly (and hot) and Sonoma has the coast highway and redwoods… and better parks and lots of famous beer breweries. Napa has good PR and that’s about it 🙂

Surprised to Kansas City on your list. I live in KC and a lot of people don’t realize how cool this city has become the past few years. The arts scene is tops, along with a great music scene. We are home of the world famous Royals and love our sports. We will always be known for BBQ and blues but we have so much more to offer.

One of the most ‘undiscovered’ places in all the States, the beaches here are second to none (in fact, the sand is so great, Hawaiian resorts get it shipped in), with thriving communities, and excellent wineries.

In fact, Sleeping Bear Dunes, near Glen Arbor, was recently ranked the Number 1 prettiest place in America by Good Morning America (ahead of places like Cape Cod, Aspen, Asheville, and the Grand Tetons).

Matt, loved this post! Happy to see Boston make the list, but I must admit I’m a little disappointed by your use of “wicked” as an adjective instead of an adverb! Boston isn’t wicked; it’s wicked awesome! 😛

Great list! I’ve been to all 50 states and TONS of cities, but only to 22 of these. I’ve still yet to see the Redwoods and Glacier National Park among a few others – some places are a little difficult to navigate in an 18-wheeler – but hope to add them soon. And The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is number one on my list of things I’ve seen. That place is spectacular!

I’ll be visiting Savannah for the first time this fall- thanks for the other suggestions. If I may, I’d like to suggest two future trips for you-
1. Red Rock Extravaganza- visit the national & state parks of southern Utah and the four corners area. Hit Bryce, Zion, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State park, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde and on and on.
2. Eating tour of Santa Fe- yes, you can eat that delicious fried avocado/chicken thing at Trudy’s in Austin, but you need to visit Santa Fe to get the best Christmas enchilada sauce. I had some smoked chicken there that I’m thinking about years later and they have a fun farmer’s market.

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Just finished a land trip across the United States a month ago, and I was so impressed with your country. I’m not a fan of cities though, but the natural landscapes won my heart. My favorite experience was riding the train from San Francisco to Chicago, which was very scenic.

Glad to see Asheville made your list as it’s the top choice on our retirement list right now! We also enjoy the lively craft beer scene and the place is incredibly pet friendly as well – many, many restaurants will allow us to be seated outside with our furry family member.

Great list! Glad to see my hometown of Washington, DC made it, it’s a beautiful city with so much to do. I agree with most of these, but for some reason Chicago has never done it for me (maybe a third time will be the charm?). Definitely makes me realize there’s a lot of the west coast that I need to get to though!

Great piece. Especially loved the bit about Montana! Montana is so awesome that it got two mentions on the list. However, I am a bit perplexed that there was no mention of Utah and all of its phenomenal natural beauty. Zion National Park, I’ll have some of that, please.

Great list. I’m shocked to see Natchez on the list, but it is such a beautiful, historical town.

Minneapolis, MN would be the surprise entry on my list. Everything about that city is 10x cooler than I thought it would be. Avoid the winter like the plague, but it sure is a nice visit in the summer.

Good Article – I am always reading about the best international travel destinations when planning my next trip. Articles like this make me remember that there is a lot to love and see in the US as well. Thanks!

What a great list. You sure covered a lot of the fabulous country of the USA. I have been to a lot of these places, but certainly not all. This has given me some ideas as to new places to visit. Deadwood sure sounds interesting. I didn’t even know about the place until now. The photo that you posted is beautiful. I really must check it out.

Great list, and really drives home something I have been thinking about a lot lately…exploring my own backyard! I whine about wanting to travel and see the world, yet I live within a short drive of several of the places on your list, and haven’t come even close to exploring all of them. I can hop in my car and be in either Sonoma or Napa, down the road is San Francisco, and the coast is a short drive away. Several hours or a short, cheap flight will have me in San Diego. On top of that, the whole Pacific Northwest is doable via short flight or road trip. I need to get my butt in gear!

Oh Matt, you committed a cardinal sin! It’s not the Boston Commons, it’s Boston Common! But you got one thing right the first time. At least when I was a kid, it didn’t have to be wicked cool or wicked awesome. It was just wicked!

Nice post! Though I will say Muir Woods is not a national park 🙂 it’s a national monument and gets very CROWDED, especially on weekends – expect to find parking miles from the entrance after 9am. If you really want to hike around SF, Mt Tampalais next door to Muir Woods has less crowds, or even better Big Basin south of the city. Cheers!

I would love to see glacier national park! NYC was fun, I went there shortly after 9/11 so security was pretty intense. Chinatown was really cool in NYC. I love the pictures you have! Really glad that you included Deadwood, it’s been on my to-do list.

I am an avid traveler like yourself and I’ve managed to see 40+ countries so far. Before I’ve started to travel abroad I went on a cross-country tour. Even though I like picturesque landscapes and nature I got to admit that I feel more comfortable in cities. I’m a city break type of traveler so to say. I feel like you get a more accurate feeling of the times we live in and a deepen sense of reality. My top 10 places in the US are Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, New York, Boston, Washington, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas and North Carolina.

I can’t recommend the Pacific coast drive northward from San Francisco to Portland enough. Be sure to dip down to Big Sur from San Francisco before driving northward.

Some highlights in California >

Highway 1 in Marin County north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Stunning coastline.

Side trip to Napa and Sonoma valleys after that.

Highway 1 through Mendocino.

Avenue of the Giants redwood scenic drive. Take every exit off Highway 101 when you see signs for it. Humboldt State Redwoods Park along Avenue of the Giants has the largest preserve of remaining coast redwoods. Numerous wonderful day hikes there. The Drury Trail off the Avenue gives you a nice 45 – 60-minute experience away from crowds. Humboldt is large enough that you can find campsites away from traffic noise.

Arcata – love this throwback to the the late 60s and early 70s. First Green Party government in U.S. When packing keep in mind that the City of Arcata bans nuclear weapons. Lots of nice little places to dine. Has only aquatic centre I know of along this coast. Love its Saturday farmer’s market April through November. Provides a nice mellow place to stop several nights before moving on.

The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway through Redwood National Park and the sublime redwood state parks that border it. As with the Avenue of the Giants this was Highway 101 before it moved east to its new freeway. Sadly, many travellers stick to the freeway and miss so much.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park just east of Crescent City. Its Stout Grove Trail takes little time but gives a big payback.

Seriously consider booking state park and Redwood National Park camping sites in advance in order to avoid disappointment. The national park and state ones are kept quite pristine, with human intrusion kept to a minimum, unlike for example in Canada, where they have golf courses, ski runs, etc. that mar natural settings.

We just spent 4 weeks exploring Alaska and it was Amazing! So many adventures to list a few off the top of my head that we loved… Our new favorite city is Juneau Alaska. We did it all from Hiking, Glacier Ice Climbing, Ice Caving, Gold Panning, Heli-hiking, to Cruising. One huge one was wild bear viewing and camping in Lake Clark NP. It is a worlds top 100 travel adventure and an experience of a lifetime.

Austin? Yuck. Lived there for over 6 years, never again. It’s no longer ‘weird’, its pretentious, crowded for a city its size, terrible traffic because there are no real roads, expensive now and with high property tax, filled with high tech divas. They took over the poor areas east side (once hispanic and black families) and put in hipster crap, and now only care about their large venues that attract out of staters. No greenery, nothing outdoorsy to do, just plain ugly overall. IMHO. Blah.

Expanding on Portland, no summer trip to the city is complete without checking out local river spots and floating down them whilst balancing a bottle of (insert alcoholic beverage here) on your stomach.

I’d love to explore New York city and Denver, and Savannah, too. 🙂 Denver would be totally mind kind of city – friendly locals, big city living and close proximity to the mountains. Sounds quite similar to Mumbai, where I’m living right now.

I agree with all of your updated locations, except Chicago. It has too much congestion and too much crime. Plus, it isn’t named “The Windy City” for nothing. However, very glad you included Kansas City … home to the best bar-b-que in the world!

Hi Matt–
I’m really excited to head out on my own little budget travel adventure at the end of the week! I’m heading south from Montana and planning to car camp–here’s hoping I don’t freeze!
I’m also taking your superstar blogging course–when I get a little experience under my belt, you’ll be hearing from me about writing guest posts about those “anywhere in Montana” places!

Great list although you are missing one of my favorite spots ever! The Northwoods of Wisconsin is ideal for getting back in touch with nature. And with all the great lodging options, you can tent camp, stay at a resort like Birch Trail Resort or RV it up. Either way, hope you all get to experience it soon!